Oh, so much to write about today’s reading!

Often a prophet rises up to remind the people of what God has done for them. This prophet also reminds them that they were told not to worship other gods.  And they are reminded that they have not been obedient.

When Gideon first appears in Scripture he is threshing wheat in a winepress.  Threshing wheat usually was done outside, often on a hillside so the wind could blow the lighter chaff away,  leaving the grains of wheat. In this case Gideon had to thresh the wheat in somewhat of a pit that was hidden from view. 

No doubt about the identity of the Angel of the Lord. Gideon knew he was speaking with God. Otherwise why would he have thought he was going to die?

Exod 33:20
But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

If we can’t see God and live and yet Gideon saw God, there is only one explanation. Gideon was face to face with God the Son.

How often have we thought similar thoughts as Gideon's?“My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
Yet we should know that if God asks us to do something, He will empower us to do it!

God told Gideon that He would be with him and yet Gideon asks for a sign! Why can’t we just take God at His word and believe His promises to us?

Or was Gideon just being cautious and making sure he got things right? Later on we will see some evidence of Gideon's character that may help us decide the answer to this question.

God reduced the number of fighting men so that there could be no mistake that the victory was from God.

Why on earth would the men who lapped with their hands be the ones chosen to do the fighting? Could it be because by lapping with their hands they were able to still be watching for the enemy? Instead of having their faces down in the water? We are warned about watching for the enemy from the apostle Peter.

1 Pet 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
While Satan cannot devour our salvation, he sure can devour our witness and our testimony. We must be alert to his schemes!

Jesus said it so well!
Matt 26:41
Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.